World of fantasy through art

-Chalk artist uses ventriloquism in program to inspire students to write, illustrate books.

-Chalk artist uses ventriloquism in program to inspire students to write, illustrate books.

February 28, 2008|VIRGINIA RANSBOTTOM Tribune Staff Writer

Chalk two up for Bremen dentist Charles Hassel. After sponsoring a program on keeping teeth clean and healthy during National Dental Health Month, Hassel treated students at Battell Elementary School to another entertaining program, this time by chalk artist and ventriloquist Rod Snow, of Niles. Snow, of Chalk for Christ, uses chalk art to minister a wide variety of messages. "With the Young Authors program coming up (March 15), I'm trying to get students to think like an artist and motivate them to write and illustrate books," Snow said. How does a chalk artist capture the attention of more than 300 elementary kids? First, he doubles as a ventriloquist and introduces many comic friends to pull pupils into a world of fantasy. There was a talking flea who makes his home in a pop can and likes to perform tightrope acts. Using a "smelly" gym sock and some slapstick humor, Snow taught kids how to make a hand puppet. The paper was shaped into a dog, using a little imagination. "You could write a book about a pet or a funny situation," Snow said Explaining how he got stuck baby-sitting, Snow pulled a pudgy baby puppet from a suitcase, leaving kids uproarious in laughter. When the baby asked for a chemistry set for its first birthday, Snow said, "Don't you know you're too young to play with chemistry?" The baby answered, "Don't you know you're too old to play with dolls?" Snow picked up a guitar case and told students that music in the background can get the artistic juices flowing. "But I can't play the guitar, so meet Gee Tar," he said as he pulled out a puppet that looked like a cross between Charlie McCarthy and an orange-haired orangutan. With an appetite for hot dogs, Gee Tar helped Snow tell the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk," only Gee Tar's version included visions of hot dogs everywhere. "You can make stories all mixed up, and they're still fun," Snow explained. But it was his chalk art that kids found most inspiring. Saving his best for the grand finale, Snow explained how his inspiration for drawing came from the wildlife outdoors on the river and a bald eagle that frequented there. He began drawing a landscape with a flurry of chalk strokes while music flowed with his motions in the background. In minutes, a majestic mountain scene emerged in dappled sunlight. When done drawing, a black light changed the sky to a brilliant sunset, and then a bald eagle magically appeared on canvas to a gasping audience. Titled "On Wings of Eagles," Snow said wings can carry us to many different places. So do books and pictures. "It's beautiful!" said sixth-grader Abreanna Cuevas. "I loved it!" "The best part was when the colors changed," said Kaley Mihail. "And the trees and waterfall picked up the reflection," said Il Capao. Snow said the eagle that seemed to appear from nowhere was previously drawn using phosphorus chalk. He said the older generation can remember when chalk art was all the rage in ministry. "It's now making a comeback," Snow said. Previously known as "chalk talks," a picture is drawn in chalk while a message is shared. The black-light picture drawn ahead of time is revealed at the end of the presentation. Ding Teuling is the pioneer of chalk art, and Snow will be teaching workshops in chalk art ministry next month with the 90-year-old artist. The picture was gifted to the school. The School City of Mishawaka Young Authors Conference is a writing program that teaches students to create their own books during workshops, in class and after school. Students also get to meet professional writers, illustrators or storytellers. The Young Authors Conference this year at Barnes & Noble booksellers will feature children's book author Sarah Stewart and illustrator David Small, of Mendon. The husband-and-wife team is a Caldecott Honor winner. If the name Hassel sounds familiar at Battell, it's because Charles Hassel is the father-in-law of Battell Principal Jill Hassel.Staff writer Virginia Ransbottom: vransbottom@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6344